Device for holding lap-used articles



Jan. 2; 1968 y. F. .NMAN 3,361,091

DEVICE FOR HOLDING LAP-USED ARTICLES Fil ed May 25, 1967" 5 SheQt$-Sheet1 INVENTOR Murray ffrzmam M. F. INMAN DEVICE FOR HOLDING LAP-USEDARTICLES Jan. 2, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 196'? v INVENTOR YI M0 2 0 [fir/2247a BY v ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1968 I M. F. INM AN 3,361,091

DEVICE FOR HOLDING LAP-USED ARTICLES Filed May 25, 1967 v s Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR #10 2 f fizmarz ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,361,091DEVICE FOR HOLDING LAP-USED ARTICLES Murray F. Inman, P.0. Box 308,Hartford City, Ind. 47348 Filed May 25, 1967, Ser. No. 641,303 51Claims. (Cl. 108-43) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosed devicecomprises a lapboard having various modes of attachment to the usersbody, said lapboard being modified to hold various articles.

This invention is a device for holding lap-used articles, particularlythose used by, although not exclusively by, any pilot, operator oroccupant of any land, sea or air craft, while in either a sitting, nearsitting or reclining position. This device is an appropriately shapedand contoured piece of suitable strip material which may be insertedunder, in or attached to and held and secured in position by either theusers belt, seat belt, safety belt or wearing apparel as desired. Thedevice holds and secures any particular lap-used article that isattached thereto, or which it forms an integral part thereof, in themost convenient position for use.

In particular, it is the object of this invention to provide a longsought after and much needed inexpensive, simple, lightweight means toreadily and easily hold and secure any lap-used article in its mostconvenient position for use by a person in either a sitting, nearsitting or reclining position. In the past, this has been variouslyattempted, but only with a limited success and satisfaction. Theprincipal means used heretofore to hold lap-used articles in a positionfor use has been by using straps attached to the users leg. This has notproven to be wholly satisfactory or desirable, since this means causesthe user discomfort and causes an excessive wrinkling of clothing,besides restricting body movement and interfering with the free bloodcirculation. In particular, this is an impractical means for femaleusers to use when wearing an ordinary dress. Furthermore, strapping ofthe lap-used article to the users leg creates a safety hazard for theuser, particularly in situations where it is desirable to quickly detachor d'isassociate the lap-used article from the user, especially in thoseemergency situations involving airplane and rocket pilots and automobileoperators. Strapping of a lap-used article to the users leg is neitherconvenient nor readily done, particularly where the user is endeavoringto attach same in confined quarters. Such a strap attachment furthercreates the safety hazard where there exists the possibility that thestrap will be caught by some other object and create a danger to theuser.

It is, therefore, the object of this invention to provide a simple,inexpensive, lightweight means of holding and securing lap-used articlesin their most convenient position of optimum use, which is at the sametime safe for the user to use and which may be quickly and convenientlyattachable and detachable as the occasion requires. It is further theobject of this invention to provide a means of holding lap used articlesin such a position that they may be comfortably used over a prolongedperiod without undue fatigue to the user. Still another object of thisinvention is to provide asimple means for holding and securing, eitherrigidly, flexibly or pivotally, lap-used articles in their mostconvenient position of optimum use without causing the user to contort,twist or skew in order to use the article. It is still further theobject of this invention to provide a simple means of holding andsecuring lap-used articles so that such articles can be conveniently.

and practically used by both male and female users equally even when thefemale user is wearing an ordinary dress.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for holding andsecuring a lap-used article which permits the user to quickly detach ordisassociate the article from the user whenever desired with minimumeffort, particularly in emergencies and in situations where time is ofthe essence. It is still another object of this invention to provide ameans of holding and securing lap-used articles in a manner that doesnot create a safety hazard to the user. Yet another object of thisinvention is to provide a means which is adaptable for and which may beused for holding a variety of lap-used articles, such as, but notlimited to, clipboards, lapboards, trays, mapholders displays, check-oillists, sheet material, instruments, tools, weapons, kits and many otherlap-used articles too numerous to mention.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a device for holding alapboard which can be used to hold and display a variety of items, suchas, but not limited to, maps, charts, sheet material, forms, lists,photographs and many other items for reading, observation or writingupon too numerous to mention here. It is the object to provide alapboard that air, land or marine craft operators, or occupants cancomfortably use with natural effort without having to twist, skew orcontort. It is still a further object of the invention to provide aninexpensive, lightweight, rugged lapboard, anti-magnetic if desired,that is safe for the user to use with the feature that it can be quicklypositioned for use or be quickly released from use and be readily andhandily stowed away with minimum effort in a minimum of space. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a lapboard which is quickly usableor disassociatable which any pilot, operator or occupant of any air,land or marine craft can use to quickly secure and releaseably holdsheet material such as maps, charts and other items in their mostconvenient position for use and observation. Still another objective isto provide a lapboard which any pilot, operator or occupant of any air,land or marine craft can use to quickly and releaseably hold any sheetmaterial for use and observation in such a manner that it will not beblown away or disturbed by the wind, while at the same time eliminatingthe need for hand holding, which frees the hands for other uses.

Yet another objective is to provide a lapboard with an inexpensive,lightweight, rugged, detachable combination lamp and pencil sharpenerconstructed to be convenient and reliable in use.

A further objective is to provide a means for holding lap-used articleswhich may be either permanently attached to and incorporated as a partof such article or be detachably attached to such an article.

Still yet a further object of the invention is to provide a means forholding an ordinary tray or conventional server either as a part thereofor an attachment thereto, which any operator or occupant of any land,sea or air craft can use for, but not exclusively for, the serving offood and drink to the user, such as for example in commercial airplanesor in vehicles at drive-in restaurants.

These and still other objects, advantages and uses will become apparentfrom the accompanying drawings and the following description.

The drawing presented which shows the invention is briefly described asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject device for holding lap-usedarticles illustrating one application of the invention in use.

FIG. 2 is an angular perspective view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the subject device illustrating anotherapplication of the invention in use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the subject device featuring snaps forattaching same into mating snaps on the users wearing apparel.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject device illustrating yetanother application of the invention adapted to be held and secured by abelt slipped-through appropriately provided cut-outs.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the subject device illustrating stillanother application which utilizes a clip means of attachment to attachthe device to the users wearing apparel.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the FIG. 6 device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the subject device showing a hingeablemeans for attaching the device to a lapused article.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lapboard incorporating the subjectdevice as a part thereof.

FIG. 10 is an angular perspective view of the FIG. 9 illustrating thelapboard and subject device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 rlapboard featuringhingeable means for attaching the subject device thereto.

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the FIG. 9 lapboard featuring multiplespring clip means on the lapboard to secure sheet material.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 lapboard featuring a springhingeable, transparent panel.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 lapboard featuring multiplespring hingeable, transparent retainer panels.

FIG. 15 is a perspective underneath view of any of the FIGS. 9-14lapboards with contoured underneath leg rest.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of any of the FIGS. 9-14 lapboards withstop-watch attached thereto.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of any of the FIGS. 9l4 lapboardsfeaturing auxiliary detachable combination lamp and pencil shapener.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the detachable combination lamp andpencil sharpener of FIG. 17 showing the spring clip retainer means forholding the lamp, the pencil sharpener mounted on the back of saidspring clip retainer means and spring clip for detachably attaching thelamp and pencil sharpener to an item such as a ilapboard.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the lapboard showing thelapboard pivotally mounted.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view along line A-A' of FIG. 19of the pivot retainer cap.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of subject device incorporated as a partof a tray.

The invention and the various adaptations thereof will be betterunderstood from the following description.

The invention consists of a device or means 10 for holding lap-usedarticles, as generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.. This consist-s of afabricated, molded, pressed, shaped or otherwise formed sheet 11 ofsuitably rigid material, such as, but not restricted to steel, aluminum,magnesium, plastic, pressboard or other substantially rigid sheetmaterial. It has been found, for example, that aluminum, plastic orother material with similar characteristics is best suited for thedevice, especially when it is to be used in an airplane or other areawhere lightness of weight and anti-magnetic characteristics are desired.Sheet 11 may obviously be shaped as best suited for the particularintended purpose or application. It has been further found that theshape as generally described herein is best suited for mostapplications.

Sheet 11 has three general portions 12, 14 and 16 as shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The first portion, or main lap section, 12 is designed so that itwill lay flat on the users lap 22, or top of his leg, when the user 21is in either a sitting, near sitting or reclining position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. End 13 of this main lap section 12 is designed so thatit may either be attached to or incorporated as an integral part of theparticular lapused article with which it is being used. It has beenfound preferable to design device 10 so that it is angularly displacedin use and attachment by approximately 10 to 2.0 degrees from the lineof main use of the particular lap-used article to which it is attachedor incorporated, as is generally shown in FIGS. 921. This permits theparticular lap-used article to be held or skewed on the users lap at amore natural angle for its most convenient and effective use.

The second portion 14 of sheet 11 is formed, shaped, bent or molded atan upward angle relative to the plane of the main lap section 12. It isfurther designed so as to be held and secured by either the users belt,as is generally shown by 18 in FIG. 1, or by a band or belted section orother portion 19 of the users wearing apparel, as generally shown inFIG. 3, or by a separate belt or strap 18, 20 slipped-through, attachedto or positioned over it, as generally shown in FIG. 5, or by a clipmeans 16, as generally shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, clipped over or securedto the users belt, safety belt or wearing apparel. It has been found,for example in the application shown in FIG. 1, that the plane of secondportion 14 should be positioned at an upward angle of approximatelydegrees from the plane of the main lap section 12 in order to be bestsuited and most comfortable for a pilot, operator or occupant of anyland, sea or air craft, especially when a safety belt is used as themeans for holding and securing the said device. However, it is obviousthat the angular position of portion 14 relative to the main lap section12 can be varied as desired to best suit particular purposes orapplications.

The third portion 16 of sheet 11 is formed, shaped, bent or moldedoutwardly at an angle 17 away from the user as generally shown in FIG. 1et seq. This third portion 16 is designed so that it generally overlapsor overhangs the top of the belt or other means securing and holding thesecond portion 14, as generally shown in FIG. 1. This assists inpreventing the second portion 14 from slipping from beneath the meansholding and securing it, as well as assists in properly positioning 14.I have found, for example in the application shown in FIG. 1 that theangle 17 should preferably be approximately degrees relative to thesecond portion 14. By having section 16 bent outwardly and away from theusers body it has been further found that this makes the device morecomfortable and safe for a pilot, operator or occupant of any land, seaor air craft to use when in a sitting, near sitting or recliningposition. For example this eliminates any sharp edge that would injurethe user if any blow propelled the subject device back into the user.However, it is obvious that angle 17 may be varied as desired to bestsuit particular purpose or application.

A seat or means of supporting the user 21 is generally shown in FIG. 1as 29. The user 21 thus may be supported as desired in either a sitting,near sitting or reclining position.

FIG. 3 shows another adaptation for holding and securing device 10 bymeans of banded portion 19, or other part, of the users wearing apparel.The portion of the users wearing apparel holding device 10 may bereinforced as desired to prevent tearing or damage of the fabric asgenerally shown by 23. It is obvious that band 19 can be made byappropriately providing slits 24 wherever desired in the users wearingapparel through which portion 14 and 16 of the device can be slipped tohold and secure device 10 in position for use. It is further obviousthat other ways of using the wearing apparel of the user to hold andsecure device 10 may be used.

FIG. 4 shows yet another adaptation for holding and securing device 10.This incorporates conventional snaps 25 in portion 14 to snap intomating snaps attached either to the users Wearing apparel, belt, orsafety belt or other means. It is obvious that common buttons can alsobe used in place of said snaps as a means of holding and securing deviceto the user. It is further obvious that a zipper means can also be usedto secure or attach device 10 to the users wearing apparel, belt, safetybelt or other means.

FIG. 5 shows yet another adaptation of holding and securing device 10using a separate belt or strap means 20, which is either attached to oris interwoven through or is secured over portion 14 of device 10. It isobvious that such a belt or strap means 20 can be either the users belt,safety belt or banded portion of users wearing apparel. In theparticular adaptation shown in FIG. 5, two substantially vertical,separated slits or perforations 27 are made through portion 14through-which is threaded or woven the belt or strap means 20.Preferably the slits or perforations 27 have rounded edges to preventexcessive wearing of the belt or strap means 20 and for safety.

Still another adaptation of holding and securing device 10 uses a clipmeans 16' as generally shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this particularadaptation instead of the third portion 16 being outwardly bent as shownin FIGS. 1 through 5 this portion is elongated and is reversibly bent,shaped, formed or molded at 17' inwardly and back and under the secondportion 14 leaving a clearance space therebetween so as to form a springclip which the user may clip over his belt or safety belt or portion ofhis wearing apparel to hold and secure device 10 thereto.

Another adaptation of device 10 uses a hingeable means 28 interposed inthe main lap section 12, as generally shown in FIG. 8, for attaching thedevice 10 to any lap-used article. This is desirable in someapplications to assist the main lap section 12, and any lap-used articleattached thereto or used therewith, to lay flat on the users lap or leg.In FIG. 8 the hingeable means 28 is shown positioned relatively close toangle and the second portion 14- and between a relatively short main lapsection 12 and an auxiliary main lap section 12' which attaches to or isincorporated as an integral part of the lap-used article. It has beenfound that a conventional piano hinge is very satisfactory for hingemeans 28; however, it is obvious that any other common type,

of hingeable means may also be used as best suits the particular purposeand application. Hingeable means 28 permits the main lap section 12 andany lap-used article attached thereto or incorporated as an integralpart thereof to lay fiat on the users lap or leg through a wide latitudeof positions without the need to vary or adjust angle 15. This,therefore, permits device 10 to be readily adapted to a wide range ofparticular uses and users, without any alteration of the basic design ofthe subject device. This, for example, is advantageous from massproduction considerations where it is unknown to what particularlap-used article device 10 will be attached or adapted.

Still a further adaptation of device 10 is incorporated as an integralpart of a lapboard 30 as generally shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Such alapboard has been found to be especially advantageous for use by anypilot, operator or occupant of any land, sea or air craft to hold and tosecure any sheet material, maps, charts, forms, lists, photographs andmany other items for observation, reading or writing upon in the mostconvenient and comfortable position. Device 10 in this particularadaptation is incorporated as an integral part of a generallyrectangular sheet or plate which forms the main lapboard section 31.However, device 10 may also be attached to the lapboard by anyconventional fastening means instead of being incorporated as anintegral portion thereof as desired.

A generally rectangular sheet or plate auxiliary lapboard section 32 isfoldably and hingeably attached to the main lapboard section 31 byhingeable means 33. A common piano hinge is very satisfactory forhingeable means can be adapted to serve the same purpose. Device 10, themain lapboard section 31 and auxiliary section 32 and hingeable means 33may all be fabricated or moulded out of the same type of material as theaforementioned sheet 11; however, it is obvious that many differentmaterials may be used for each of these components as best suits theparticular purpose and application.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the auxiliary lapboard section 32 can be foldedto position 32' between the users legs or downwardly so as to be alongthe side of one of the users legs. Section 32 can further be folded,doubled or closed either underneath or on top of the main lapboardsection 31 as desired. Such flexibility permits the user to use thelapboard for a wide range of uses and in various space situations. Thehingeable auxiliary lapboard section 32 is very useful to hold anddisplay auxiliary sheet material, rnaps, charts, etc. for referencewhile the main lapboard section 31 is beingused to hold and displaythose items of sheet material, maps, charts, etc. most used or deemedneeded in such position for quick reference. This is particularly usefulfor pilots or operators of air, land and sea craft.

As generally shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 et seq, the main lapboard section31 is designed to be constructed with a generally triangular portion 34along the outer edge opposite to the edge attached to the auxiliarylapboard section 32. The purpose of this particular unique design andconstruction is to permit any sheet material, map, chart or other itemto be angularly positioned and held on the main lapboard section 31surface relative to the users body, as generally shown by 35 in FIGS. 9and 10, so that such items are in the most convenient and comfortableposition of observation and use. This permits their use or observationwithout the user having to twist, skew or contort his body or arms inorder to optimumly use, observe or read the particular sheet material oritem held by the lapboard. This reduces fatigue and promotes safety. Ithas been found that this triangular portion 34 for use by a pilot,operator or occupant of any vehicle is satisfactory when its outer edge38 forms or makes an angle of approximately 120 degrees relative to theouter edge 40 (i.e. the edge away from the user) of the main lapboardsection 31 and when its inner edge 39 forms or makes an angle ofapproximately degrees relative to the outer edge 38. However, it isobvious that such angles can be varied as needed or desired to suit theparticular application.

All corners of lapboard 30 are rounded for safety reasons and toeliminate any shap corners which could possibly tear or cause excessivewearing of the users wearing apparel, belt or other items which it maycontact.

Spring clip means may be attached to either-or both of lapboard sections31 and 32 to hold the sheet material, maps, charts, etc. These aregenerally shown as 36 and 37 in FIGS. 9 and 10. Any conventional springclip means may be used; however, I have found that the box-type withpivoted handle 26, as generally shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are verysatisfactory. The spring clip means 36 is angularly positioned on andsecured to the surface of the main lapboard section 31 near thehingeable means 33 so that the sheet or other material held is heldrelative to the users body, as generally shown by 35 in FIGS. 9 and 10.This permits the material or items being held to be positioned in themost convenient and comfortable position of use and observationutilizing the triangular portion 34 of the main lapboard section 31. Ithas been found preferable that an angular position of spring clip means36 relative to the hingeable means 33 of approximately thirty degreeswith the end of the spring clip means 36 nearest the user farther awayfrom the hingeable means 33 than the other end of the spring clip means36 which isthe farthest away from the user, as generally shown in FIGS.9 and 10. Of course, it is obivous that this angular positioning may bevaried as needed, or desired, to suit the particular application.

A spring clip means 37 may be secured to the surface of the auxiliarylapboard section 32, this may be either similarly angularly positionedon the surface of lapboard section 32 as spring clip means 36 ispositioned on the surface of the main lapboard section 31 or it may bepositioned otherwise as desired along or even with the outer edge of theauxiliary lapboard section 32 which is opposite to the hingeable means33, as generally shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

It is further obvious that the dimensions of the main lapboard andauxiliary lapboard section 31 and 32, respectively, may be varied asdesired for particular uses and users. In general, however, it has beenfound that a dimension slightly wider and longer than the largest sheetmaterial or other item to be held is satisfactory. In one application,for example, a dimension of approximately six inches wide by eightinches long is very satisfactory and sufficient for most uses by anaircraft pilot.

A further adaptation of device 10 consists of it being incorporated as apart of a lapboard 30, as generally shown in FIG. 11, by attaching itthereto by a hingeable means 28 in the main lap section 12. Such ahingeable means of attachment permits both the main and auxiliarylapboards 31 and 32 to lie fiat on the users lap or legs through a widerange of user positions without the need to vary angle 15. Anyconventional hingeable means is satisfactory for this purpose; however,it has been found that a common piano hinge is very satisfactory formost uses.

Another adaptation of lapboard uses multiple spring clip means attachedor secured to the main lapboard '31, as generally shown as 36 and 36' inFIG. 12, to provide an additional means of holding the opposite sides ofany sheet material, or other items, held by the lapboard, especially foruse in windy conditions. It is obvious that any number of spring clipmeans can be used to achieve this same purpose, even though only twosuch spring clip means are shown in FIG. 12 attached to main lapboard31. It is further obvious that similar multiple spring clip means may beemployed on either or both of the lapboard sections 3 1 and 32, asdesired or required. For example, such additional spring clip means onlapboard section 32 is shown by position 37. It is further obvious thatsuch multiple spring clip means may be positioned relative to thesurface of the lapboard in any position as best suits particular usesand users.

A further adaptation of lapboard 3t) incorporates a transparent sheet orpanel 41 hingeably secured to the auxiliary lapboard 32 by a springhinge means 42 as generally shown in FIG. 13. This transparent panel 41may be of any suitable, rigid, transparent material, such as forexample, plastic. The use of such a transparent panel permits the sheetmaterial and other items to be held securely and positioned visibly forobservation, reading or marking over between the surface of lapboardsection 32 and the transparent panel. Panel 41 is generally rectangularand is substantially similar to the surface shape of the auxiliarylapboard 32, which it overlies. In use, the material to be held isinserted and positioned beneath the transparent panel 41 and between itand the top surface of the lapboard. The spring hinge means 42 holdsunder pressure the transparent panel 41 against the surface of thelapboard and any material inserted therevbetween. Any conventionalspring loaded hinge means is satisfactory for 42; however, it has beenfound that a common spring loaded piano hinge performs verysatisfactorily. When such transparent panel is attached and held underpositive pressure by such a spring hinge means the need of using springclip means to hold the sheet material or other items is eliminated. Thisincreases the lapboards flexibility and foldability. It saves space andeases storing.

Still a further adaptation of the subject lapboard incorporates atransparent sheet or panel 43 substantially similar to transparent panel41 to overlie and substantially equal the shape of the surface of themain lapboard 31, as generally shown in FIG. 14. Panel 43 is attachedand secured by hinge means 44 attached to the main lapboard 31, which issubstantially similar to and loaded the same as hinge means 42.Transparent panel 43 performs a similar use as panel 41 by permittingsheet material and other items to be held and positioned visibly beneathit and between it and the surface of main lapboard section 31 forobservation, reading or marking over.

By properly selecting the material used for panels 41 and 43, erasablemarking thereupon may be permitted. This feature is very desirable inmany applications, as for example for marking or plotting over maps orcharts or forms, etc., especially by navigators, airplane pilots, scorekeepers, salesmen, etc.

It is preferable that both transparent panels 41 and 43 are attached andheld by spring means 42 or 44 along the outermost edges of the lapboardsections 31 and '32. However, it is obvious that these can also beattached and held at any other suitable position. Panel 43, it should benoted, is shown constructed with a generally triangular extension 34'along its outer edge which substantially matches the generallytriangular extension 34 of main lapboard 31.

Still another adaptation of lapboard 30 incorporates a contoured legrest 45 as is generally shown in FIG. 15. This leg rest may befabricated, formed, shaped or molded in a generally rectangularbox-shape from either solid or rectangular hollow tubular material,which has its top side 46 either welded to or attached to orincorporated as an integral part of the underside of the main lapboardsection 31. The bottom side 47 of leg rest 45, i.e. the side of leg rest45 opposite to the top side 46, is formed, shaped, pressed or moldedconcavely towards the top side 46, so that it is contoured to generallyfit and rest upon the top of the users leg. This provides added supportfor the lapboard 30, as well as permitting it to be readily positionedfor use and preventing it from having objectionable lateral movement.Leg rest 45 may be made either from the same or of a different materialas that used for the lapboard 30, whichever best suits the particularapplication. The dimensions of such a leg rest obviously may be variedto best suit particular uses and users.

FIG. 16 illustrates still another adaptation of lapboard 30 whichfeatures a conventional stop-watch 48, or other time piece orinstrument, that may either be permanently or detachably attached to thesurface of lapboard 30 in some convenient position. FIG. 16 shows oneexample with 48 positioned in the corner of the main lapboard 31 nearestto the user and hingeable means '33, in the otherwise relatively unusedport-ion of the lapboard section 31. It is obvious, however, that anyother convenient position is suitable, e.g. as generally shown bypositions 49. It is further obvious that in the event that a transparentpanel, either 41 or 43, or both, as previously discussed, is used, thensuch transparent panel or panels may be either perforated or shaped toadmit the use of a stop-watch, time piece or instrument 48 whereverdesired. It is further obvious that any number of stop-watches or timepieces or instruments 48 may be simultaneously used as desired.

A satisfactory detachable means for attaching 48 to the surface of thelapboard 30, is common snap means with one snap attached to the case ofthe stop-watch, time piece or instrument 48 which mates into a matingsnap attached to the surface of the lapboard 39. This permits quickattachment or detachment of 48 whenever desired.

Another adaptation of lapboard 30 features and incorporates the use of adetach combination light and pencil sharpener means 50 attached to orclipped onto the lapboard at any desired position to illuminate itssurface and any material held thereon, as well as to provide a readilyavailable hand pencil sharpening means, as is generally shown in FIG.17. An exploded perspective view of the detachable combination light andpencil sharpener means '50 is more particularly shown in FIG. 18.

The combination light and pencil sharpener consists of a generallyU-shaped resilient clip means 53, fabricated or molded of anyconventionally resilient material for the purpose of attaching thelight-pencil sharpener where desired, a generally E-shaped resilientclamp-type guardholder 54 attached to, or incorporated as a part of,clip means 53, a conventional pencil sharpening means 59 attached toeither the back of the E-shaped clamp guardholder 54 or on top of theclip means 53 and a light and power source assembly 60, which clampsinto the guard-holder 54. The guard-holder is designed and constructedsuch that its shape conforms to substantially the same general shape ofthe light and power source means 60.

The light and power source means 60 consists of a housing 55, preferablygenerally box-shaped with rounded top and bottom corners, which containsall necessary conventional electrical wiring contacts and conventionalelectric switch 56, which has the switch operating handle protrudingthrough a perforation in, and is attached to, said housing 55 at the endopposite to the side where the light and power source means 60 attachesinto housing 55, an artificial electric light 57 consisting of either afluorescent or incandescent bulb or tube of generally elongated tubulardesign that has one end roundedly closed and the other end eitherthreaded for screw-in attachment or fitted with some other conventionalquick disconnect attachment means for attaching same into and making theappropriate electrical contact in housing 55 with power source 58, and aconventional electric energy power source 58 consisting of a hollowtubular housing with one end roundedly closed and the other end eitherthreaded for screw-in attachment or fitted with some other conventionalquick disconnect attachment means for attaching it into and makingelectrical connection with the appropriate circuitry supplying electricpower to the light 57 from conventional batteries housed in said powersource 58.

The detachable light and power source means 50 may be constructed of anysuitable lightweight material, as for example aluminum or plastic. Thelight bulb or tube 57 may be of any desired color or specific lightdesign as best suits the particular use. The inside of the guardholder54 next to the light-power source assembly 60 may be coated or paintedwith any conventional reflective substance to reflect the light from 57.Also, the guard-holder 54 may be shapedas appropriate to focus the lightto any desired area.

Another feature as generally shown in FIG. 17 consists of having aconventional resilient, spring clamp means 51 attached to the back ofany of the spring clip means, shown here on 36' for example, anddesigned to securely hold a conventional pencil 52 inserted therein.This provides the ready availability of a pencil for use as desired.

Another adaptation of lapboard 30 is generally shown in FIG. 19, thisprovides for the pivotable attachment of lapboard 30 to device It sothat the main and auxiliary lapboard sections 31 and 32 may be pivotedas desired by the user to any position for convenient observation,reading or writing upon any material held thereon. This adaptationconsists of a pivot post 61 of a general bowlingpin shape which isattached or welded at its small diameter end to the underside of themain lapboard 31 so that the enlarged portion remains downwardly exposedfor receiving a retainer cap, the main lap section 12 of device beingelongated and substantially underlying the main lapboard section 31, themain lap section 12 perforated with a hole approximately located asdesired to receive through it the largest portion of pivot post 61 and apivot post retainer cap 63 which grommetly fits into the saidperforation in main lap section 12 and which press fits over and retainspivot post 61 in a position to swivel.

FIG. 20 more particularly shows the cross-sectional perspective view theconstruction of pivot post retainer cap 63, which consists of apartially through hole 64-, that generally matches and snugly fits thebowling-pin shape of pivot post 61, a grommet lip and recess portion 65which resiliently fits through and around perforation 62 in the main lapsection 12 to retain the retainer cap 63 in conventional grommet mannerin said perforation, an enlarged portion 66 of any desired dimension solong as it is larger than said perforation 62 and of sufficientthickness to accept the aforesaid pivot post hole 64. This enlargedportion 66 may also function as a leg rest, in which event the undersideof the retainer cap 63 may be contoured to rest on the users leg, shownby 67. This retainer cap may be constructed or molded of any suitableresilient material such as rubber, plastic, Teflon, etc. The pivot post61 may be constructed of any suitable rigid and durable material, suchas steel, aluminum or plastic or other material as best suits theparticular use.

It is also possible to construct the retainer cap 63 so that it does notgrommetly fit into perforation 62 and instead merely fits over andsecures the pivot post 61 to the main lap section 12 swivelly. In thisadaptation, perforation 62 is slightly larger than the pivot post 61 sothat a loose fit permits the pivot post 61 to swivel in said perforationwhile still being retained therein by retainer cap 63.

It is obvious that the shape and dimensions of retainer cap 63 may bevaried to best suit the particular application.

It is further obvious that the same or similar means of pivotalattachment may be used to attach device 10 directly to any lap-usedarticle. It is also obvious that the pivot post may be secured andretained by any other conventional means besides the aforesaid cap 63means.

A still further adaptation of device 10 is generally shown in FIG. 21.This provides a tray 68 attached to or incorporated as an integral partof main lap section 12 or device 10. This may be either an ordinary trayor a tray of any special design for a particular purpose. The traydepicted has a raised lip portion 69 around its edges as a means toassist in retaining on the tray items placed thereon. Such a tray isparticularly useful for serving food and drinks to any pilot, operatoror occupant of any land, sea or air craft.

It is also apparent that the foregoing device and adaptation thereof maybe adapted for either right or left hand users without departing fromthe object and spirit of the invention.

It will also be obvious to one skilled in the art that numerous othervariation and adaptations may be made in the invention without departingfrom the object and spirit of the invention; therefore, the invention isnot intended to be limited to or by that illustrated or describedherein.

What I claim is:

1. A means for holding and securing lap-used articles in a position ofuse comprising a generally rectangular rigid main plate of sheetmaterial resting on and substantially parallel to the plane of the userslap when in its position of use, and one end section of said main plate,which is nearest to the mid-section of the user, substantially parallelto the plane of the users mid-section, which it lies against when in itsposition of use, for insertion upwardly and beneath a means for holdingsaid one end section in position, an end portion of said one end sectionfurther angularly displaced upwardly and outwardly from said one endsection plane and away from the users midsection so that said endportion is generally bearing against the top of said means for holdingwhen said one end section is inserted upwardly and beneath said meansfor holding and another end section of said main plate which remotestfrom the users mid-section when in position of use, attached to andholding a lap-used article in position of use.

2. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said means forholding is a safety belt.

3. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said means forholding is a portion of users wearing apparel.

4. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein the width ofsaid one end section is slightly wider than the surface width of saidholding means bearing against said one end section.

5. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 Wherein said end portionof said one end section is slightly Wider than the top of said holdingmeans.

6. The same structure as claimed in claim No. it wherein said other endsection of said main plate is attached to a lap-used article by a hingemeans.

7. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 with said other endsection of said main plate instead incorporated as an integral part ofthe lap-used article.

8. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said lap-usedarticle is a clipboard.

9. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said lap-usedarticle is a lapboard.

10. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said lap-usedarticle is a navigational plotting board.

11. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said lap-usedarticle is a tray.

12. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said lap-usedarticle is an instrument or a weapon.

13. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said one endsection and said end portion of said one end section is narrower thanthe width of said main plate.

14. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said one endsection has snap means attached thereto to attach to mating snaps onusers Wearing apparel.

15. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said one endsection has a zipper fastening means attached thereto to attach to amating zipper fastening means on users wearing apparel.

16. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said one endsection has one oblong slot perforated therein near to, parallel to andalong each side edge thereof through which said holding means can beinserted and threaded.

17. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 with said end portionof said one end section instead doubled back underneath andsubstantially parallel to said one end section to form a clip means ofattachment.

18. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 1 wherein said other endsection of said main plate is pivotally attached to said lap-usedarticle by pivot attachment means.

19. A means for holding and securing lap-used articles combined as apart of a lap board comprising a generally rectangular sheet mainlapboard, a generally rectangular sheet auxiliary lapboard foldably andhingeably attached to one side of said main lapboard by a hinge means, agenerally triangular extension of said main lapboard along the oppositeside to and remote from the side attached to said auxiliary board, and agenerally rectangular sheet extension of said main lapboard along theside nearest the user when said lapboard is in position of use on theusers lap, with the side adjacent to one end of said hinge means andadjacent to the largest outward projection portion of said triangularextension, with said rectangular extension skewed and angularlypositioned relative to the side of said main lapboard that is attachedto said hinge means and said auxiliary board, with the end section ofsaid rectangular extension angularly upturned away from the plane ofsaid main lapboard so as to be substantially parallel to the plane ofthe users midsection which it lies against when said main lapboard issubstantially located in position of use in the plane of the users lap,for insertion upwardly and beneath a means for holding said end sectionin position during use, an end portion of said end section furtherangularly displaced upwardly and outwardly from the plane of said endsection and away from the users mid-section so that said end portiongenerally bears against the top of said means for holding when said endis inserted upwardly and beneath said means for holding.

20. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said means forholding is a safety belt.

21. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said means forholding is a portion of users wearing apparel.

22. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein the width ofsaid one end section is slightly wider than the surface width, saidholding means bearing against said end section.

23. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said endportion of said end section is slightly wider than the top of saidholding means.

24. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein saidrectangular sheet extension is attached to said main lapboard by a hingemeans.

25. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said endsection and said end portion of said end section is narrower than thewidth of said main lapboard.

26. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said endsection has snap means attached thereto to attach to mating snaps onusers wearing apparel.

27. The same structure as claimed in claim -No. 19

wherein said end section has a zipper fastening means attached theretoto attach to a mating zipper fastening means on users wearing apparel.28. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein said endsection has one oblong slot perforated therein near to, parallel to andalong each side Edge thereof through which said holding means can beinserted and threaded.

29. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 with said end portionof said end section instead doubled back underneath and substantiallyparallel to said end section to form a clip means of attachement.

30. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein a spring clipmeans is attached to the upper surface of said main lapboard for holdingsheet material and other items.

31. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein at least onespring clip means is attached to both the upper surface of saidauxiliary lapboard for holding sheet material and other items.

32. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein multiplespring clip means are attached to both the upper surface of said mainlapboard and to the upper surface of said auxiliary lapboard for holdingsheet material and other items.

33. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein a spring clipmeans is attached to and positioned on said main lapboard upper surfaceadjacent to and along the side of said main lapboard attached to saidauxiliary board with clearance space between, with the end of saidspring clip means nearest to said rectangular extension of said mainlapboard angularly positioned to be farther away from the side of saidmain lapboard attached to said auxiliary lapboard than the other end ofsaid spring clip means, so that the sheet material and other items heldthereby are angularly positioned relative to the user.

34. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein a spring clipmeans is attached to and positioned on said main lapboard upper surfaceadjacent to and along the side of said main lapboard attached to saidauxiliary lapboard with slight clearance space therebetween with thelongitudinal axis of said spring clip means parallel to the side of saidtriangular extension located on the side of said main lapboard oppositeto and remote from where said auxiliary lapboard is attached.

35. The same structure as claimed in claim 19 wherein a transparentsheet panel of substantially the same general shape as said auxiliarylapboard is foldably and hingeably attached to the upper surface of saidauxiliary lapboard.

36. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 35 with the saidtransparent panel foldably and hingeably attached to said auxiliarylapboard by a spring hinge means.

37. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein a firsttransparent sheet panel of substantially the same general shape as saidmain lapboard is foldably and hingeably attached to the upper surface ofsaid main lapboard and wherein a second transparent sheet panel ofsubstantially the same general shape as said auxiliary lapboard isfoldably and hingeably attached to the upper surface of said auxiliarylapboard.

38. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 37 wherein said first andsecond transparent panels are foldably and hingeably attached with aspring hinge means.

39. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein saidrectangular extension is separate from and attached to said mainlapboard by a hinge means.

40. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein saidrectangular extension is separate from and attached to said mainlapboard by pivot attachment means.

41. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 with a leg restattached to the underside of said main lapboard having the side of saidleg rest opposite the side attached to the underside of said mainlapboard concavely shaped inwardly along an axis parallel to and to fitthe general top contour of users leg upon which it rests.

42. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein at least onetime piece means is attached to the surface of said main lapboard.

43. The same structure as claimed in claim No. wherein at least one timepiece means is attached to the surface of said auxiliary lapboard.

44. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 31 with a spring clamppencil holder means attached to the side of one of said spring clipmeans.

45. The structure as claimed in claim No. 19 with a light source meansattached thereto.

46. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 wherein the saidrectangular extension is severed from said main board and elongated soas to substantially underlie said main board with said elongated portionof said rectangular extension pivotally attached to said main board bypivot attachment means.

, 47. The same structure as claimed in claim No. 19 with a portabledetachable light unit attached to either the main or auxiliary lapboardcomprising a generally U-shaped resilient clip of sheet material, agenerally E-shaped resilient guard-holder means of sheet materialattached to one end of said clip, a hollow housing for receiving thelight tube, power source, circuitry and switch means, an oblongcylindrically shaped electric light tube roundedly closed at one end anddetachably attached at the other end into a receiving socket in one sideof said housing in such a manner that it makes electrical contact withthe circuitry supplying electric power thereto from the power sourcethrough a switch means, an oblong cylindrically shaped hollow powersource cover of sheet material roundedly closed at one end anddetachably attached at the other end into a receiving socket in the samesaid one side of said housing as the said light tube is attached in sucha manner as to permit the batteries in said power source to makeappropriate electrical contact with the circuitry within said housing soas to supply electrical power to said light tube through said switchmeans, electric batteries inside said power source cover as anelectrical power source, switch means in said housing connected in thecircuitry between said power source and said light tube, with the meansof operating said switch means protruding through a perforation in theside of said housing opposite to the side of the housing into which saidlight tube and power source cover are attached and with said housing,switch means, circuitry, batteries, light tube and power source cover asassembled clipped and clamped into said guard-holder.

43. The structure as claimed in claim No. 47 wherein said guard-holderis shaped to match the contour shape of side of the said housing, lighttube and power source cover assembled together with said light tubevertically positioned above and over said power source cover.

49. The structure as claimed in claim No. 47 wherein said guard-holderis coated on the side nearest said light tube clamped therein with areflective substance.

50. The structure as claimed in claim No. 47 wherein said guard-holderis parabolically contoured about said light tube when the light tube isclamped therein to focus the light.

51. The structure as claimed in claimed No. 47 wherein a pencilsharpener means is attached to the back of the side of said guard-holderwhich is opposite from the side into which said housing, light tube andpower source cover clamps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,085 12/1924 :Rossiter108-43 X 1,851,600 3/1932 Stanley 108-43 2,265,690 12/1941 Fiedler.

2,701,173 2/1955 Senior et al 224-5 X 3,125,825 3/1964 Gaudette IDS-43 XHUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. R. BALLANTYNE, Assistant Examiner.

